SpaceX Launch Rescheduled, But More Storms Are Expected This Weekend

Chris Dolce

Published: May 28,2020

The first launch of NASA astronauts from U.S. soil in nine years was delayed by stormy weather in Florida Wednesday afternoon. SpaceX has backup launch windows scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday, but scattered thunderstorms are also in the forecast this weekend.

SpaceX will retry to launch the rocket carrying the Dragon capsule on Saturday at 3:22 p.m. EDT from Kennedy Space Center in east-central Florida. The capsule will carry NASA astronauts Doug Hurley and Bob Behnken to the International Space Station.

Florida's typical late-May warmth and humidity will remain in place through the weekend, making hit-or-miss thunderstorms possible near Kennedy Space Center in the hours near Saturday's scheduled launch time.

Conditions for the entire U.S. and Canadian coasts to the North Atlantic Ocean also need to be relatively calm in case the capsule's emergency escape system activates after the launch, according to the Associated Press.

Computer Model Forecast

There is an 80% chance of scattered thunderstorms at Kennedy Space Center Saturday afternoon. Winds are forecast to be out of the south-southeast at 5 to 10 mph, but locally stronger gusts are possible if any storms impact the launch area.

Hourly Weather Forecast

If Saturday's launch doesn't go off as planned, SpaceX has a backup launch window scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. EDT.

Scattered storms could affect the Florida Peninsula on Sunday ahead of a cold front dropping into north Florida.

There is better weather ahead for Florida's Space Coast next week.

This rather strong cold front by early June standards is expected to push into South Florida early next week, ushering in drier air and, therefore, much lower chances of thunderstorms for several days next week in northern Florida, including the Space Coast.

(MORE: 10-Day Cape Canaveral Forecast)

This forecast loop shows the cold front expected to drop through the Florida Peninsula Sunday through Wednesday, bringing drier weather to northern Florida.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.

The Weather Company’s primary journalistic mission is to report on breaking weather news, the environment and the importance of science to our lives. This story does not necessarily represent the position of our parent company, IBM.